Mini Jarlsberg Cheese, Calorie Labeling Laws, Food Court Survival

Jarlsberg Minis - Perfectly portioned cheese snacks are the kind of thing we live for. And these wax-covered wheels are full of yummy, all-natural, part-skim Jarlsberg cheese. Each piece has 70 calories, 6g fat, 95mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars, and 5g protein (PointsPlus® value 2*). Find 'em at select grocery and club stores (predominantly on the East and West Coasts, as well as in TX and MN). Don't be sad, Babybel -- there's room in our fridge for everyone!

Pompeian Jalapeño Infused Red Wine Vinegar - Whoa, spicy vinegar? Yup! Not too spicy, mind you -- just a hint of a kick. Splash it over your salads, or use it as a marinade. Each tablespoon has just 2 calories, 1g carbs, and nothing else (PointsPlus® value 0*). Pick it up at Walmart or your local supermarket. P.S. If you're looking for a great oil to go with that vinegar, check out Pompeian's OliveExtra Special Blends line.

New Menu Labeling Rules = More Stats Everywhere!

Big news from the folks at the US Food and Drug Administration -- they've officially finalized a ruling that makes listing calorie counts mandatory nationwide for chain restaurants and other retail food establishments with 20 or more locations! Here's the need-to-know info...

Where will calorie counts be required? When applicable, calories must be present on menus or menu boards; for display items and self-serve foods, the calories must appear on a sign nearby. Chain restaurants, movie theaters, coffee shops, vending machines, and grocery stores selling prepared foods are all subject to the ruling, as long as they have at least 20 locations nationwide. Starbucks, Cheesecake Factory, AMC Theaters, Coca-Cola machines... All these venues and more!

What if I want other info, like fat, carbs, and protein? GREAT news. Chains are required to provide the following stats upon request: calories from fat, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrates, fiber, sugars, and protein. That rocks!

When does the law go into effect? Most retailers have until December 1st of next year to comply with the new regulations; vending machine companies have an extra year to get on board. Sure, both dates seem far off, but some chains are already beginning to roll out the info. We hope more start posting early too!

Click here for loads more info. We're super excited that progress is being made!

Attack of the Stats!

It's a Bird... CinniBird!

The Buzz...

If you've always wanted to create fancy edible designs on your lattes, pancakes, etc., get ready for this -- the CinniBird will allow you to draw with spices! Fill it with any ground spice, and draw smooth lines of powdered flavor on your food. Now that's creative... ***As if holiday shopping weren't harrowing enough… Consider the high calorie counts you'll find in the mall food court. Eeeks! Luckily, we've got a super-handy survival guide in the December issue of Redbook. (Click to see it online!) Check out our best picks for when cobbling together a smart meal. When it comes to navigating the parking lot, however, you're on your own. ***Wanna hear something interesting? A new study found that increasing the amount of saturated fat in a person's diet did not necessarily increase the amount found in that subject's blood. What did cause an increase? CARBS. Yup, increased carb intake boosted the amount of a fatty acid linked to heart disease and diabetes. Food for thought... ***Have you noticed a new option on the menu boards at McDonald's? Introducing… CUTIES! The li'l mandarins are now available at McD's locations nationwide. Fact: Consumption of Cuties makes a person 57 percent cuter. Alright, this may or may not be true... And that's all we've got. HG out!

We may have received free samples of food, which in no way influences whether these products are reviewed favorably, unfavorably, mentioned with indifference, or mentioned at all. Click for more about our editorial and advertising policies.

*The PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® values for these products and/or recipes were calculated by Hungry Girl and are not an endorsement or approval of the product, recipe, or its manufacturer or developer by Weight Watchers International, Inc., the owner of the PointsPlus® registered trademark and SmartPoints® trademark.

SmartPoints® value not what you expected?Click here for more info on how the values are calculated, plus more FAQs about PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® values on our website.